Nissan CEO Shakeup: Espinosa Replaces Uchida Amid Struggles

What happened: Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida will step down on April 1, with Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa taking over. He’ll be Nissan’s fourth CEO in eight years.

Why it matters: The leadership change comes just weeks after Nissan-Honda’s $60B merger talks collapsed, reportedly over Nissan’s refusal to close factories and Honda’s push for deeper cuts.

The backdrop: Nissan is in crisis mode—reporting a 78% YoY drop in Q3 operating profit and a $95.7M net loss. The automaker slashed its full-year forecasts and expects an $80B net loss for the fiscal year.

What’s next: Espinosa, a 22-year Nissan veteran, says the company has “more potential” than its numbers show. The board sees him as the right leader to navigate Nissan’s EV investments and turnaround strategy.

Big picture: Nissan’s stock is already down 8.5% YTD. With Renault distancing itself and the Honda deal dead, Espinosa must stabilize Nissan fast—or risk another leadership shakeup.